November 02, 2022
Statutory board waits for bigger role
The chair of Auckland’s Independent Maori Statutory Board says he’s keen to see te detail in Mayor Wayne Brown’s plans to reorganize Auckland Council’s committees.
David Taipari has been appointed for his fifth term in the role.
He says over the past 12 years it has build up its influence within council and its ability to deliver outcomes for Maori.
There are challenges and opportunities in Mr Brown’s idea of shifting much of the work from the full council down to the committees which statutory board members sit on and to local boards.
“Committees are very relevant and we want to know where those structures align and what role we will paly as part of the legislative requirements. In terms of local boards, again that’s something for council to determine but I would assume that they can’t over-delegate their own responsibilities and the legislation will be dictating how that turns out,” Mr Taipari says.
Only parliament can change the role of the Independent Maori Statutory Board, so Mayor Brown is stuck with it.